Laboratory technician salary

Laboratory technician’s salary (shortly known as laboratory tech salary or lab tech salary ) in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is about $37,860 per year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for laboratory technicians has been expected to increase by 14 percent by the year, 2018 as it is growing at a faster pace than any other technician job. Hence, one can benefit a lot by becoming a laboratory technician. The laboratory technicians employed in private companies receive an annual salary ranging from $32,928 to $45,682 while those employed in federal government agencies received from $28,824 to $46,083. According to payscale, an hourly wage for a laboratory technician ranges from $14.41 to $19.64 which can gradually increase from $20.10 to $29.47 overtime. In addition, one can receive annual bonus and total annual compensation of about $30,449 to $42,711. Read more about clinical laboratory technician salary, clinical lab technician certification and training.

Laboratory technician job description

The job of a laboratory technician varies depending upon one’s field of study. For instance, a medical laboratory technician prepares the specimens, performs blood tests, and operates automated analyzers to name a few. A dental laboratory technician takes oral impressions, pores casts, and fabricates dental appliances including crowns or prosthesis. The job of a research laboratory technician is to assist medical or pharmaceutical scientists, organize the clinical trials and maintain the clinical trial reports. The hospitals, laboratories and healthcare institutes are in need of more number of laboratory technicians due to the growing population and increased workload caused by the advancement in the medical lab procedures.

How much does a Laboratory technician make ?

Average laboratory technician salary

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average yearly salary for a laboratory technician is around $37,860.

Laboratory technician salary in USA

Based on work experience, the laboratory technicians with 1 to 4 years of practical experience receive an average annual salary ranging from $28,002 to $39,662. Similarly, those with 5 to 9 years of experience receive a yearly salary ranging from $30,466 to $44,738, those with 10 to 19 years of experience receive an annual salary ranging from $34,320 to $49,255, and those with more than 20 years of experience receive from $35,058 to $49,724.

laboratory technician salary

Laboratory technician salary in Canada

According to payscale, an average laboratory technician in Canada receives an hourly wage ranging from between C$16.73 – C$37.11 per hour which can increase between C$1.46 – C$70.87 overtime. In addition, a bonus of about C$4,848 will be credited to his or her account. In fact, a laboratory technician in Canada receives his or her total earnings ranging from C$32,095 – C$77,661 per annum.

Laboratory technician salary in Australia

An average hourly wage for a laboratory technician in Australia is between AU$37 and AU$60 per hour which averages to a total mean salary of about AU$40,000 per year. According to payscale, a laboratory technician in Australia receives an annual salary ranging from between AU$13,737 – AU$71,505. In addition, a bonus ranging from AU$40.25 – AU$5,896 will be credited to his or her account. In fact, a laboratory technician in Australia receives his or her total earnings ranging between AU$25,931 – AU$116,778 per annum.

How to become a lab technician ?

Laboratory technician training

To enroll in a laboratory technician training program, one should complete 2 to 3 years of study as a Bachelor of Science (BS) or an Associate of Science (AS) in Laboratory Technology. The laboratory technician programs are usually offered at technical colleges, vocational schools, community colleges, and universities. The candidate should select one’s program field of choice (like chemical, forensic, medical, dental, pharmacy programs and so on) from an accredited school or university.

Laboratory technician certification

On successful completion of the laboratory technician training program, the candidate qualifies to take national certification exams offered by the American Medical Technologist (AMT), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and the National Board for Certification (NBC) in Dental Laboratory Technology. The exam conducting board varies based on one’s field of choice. Like, one should complete an accredited program of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences to become a medical laboratory technician.

Conclusion about laboratory technician salary

The total yearly salary for the laboratory technicians employed in colleges has been around $48,040 while those employed in home health care services received an annual salary of around $40,130). A little higher annual pay of around $41,610 has been earned by those employed in scientific research and development services while those employed in federal government’s executive branch received around $40,610 per year.